pituitary gland

noun

: a small oval endocrine organ that is attached to the infundibulum of the brain, consists of an epithelial anterior lobe joined by an intermediate part to a posterior lobe of nervous origin, and produces various internal secretions directly or indirectly impinging on most basic body functions

called also hypophysis, pituitary body

see brain illustration

Examples of pituitary gland in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Excess human growth hormone is usually caused by an otherwise benign tumor on the pituitary gland. —Kerry Breen, CBS News, 18 Jan. 2025

Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, also known as Cushing's disease, is a neurodegenerative and endocrine disease that results in tumors in the pituitary gland, a part of the brain that regulates hormones, according to Michigan State University's Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. —Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 6 Jan. 2025

To compensate for the fluid loss, the pituitary gland will release more vasopressin. —James Myhre & Dennis Sifris, Md, Verywell Health, 24 Sep. 2024

The disease is often caused by a tumor on the pituitary gland, and brain surgery is the first line of treatment. —Kerry Breen, CBS News, 18 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1707, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

pituitary gland

noun

: a small oval endocrine organ located at the base of the brain that produces various hormones that regulate especially growth and reproduction

called also pituitary body

Medical Definition

pituitary gland

noun

: a small oval reddish gray very vascular endocrine organ that is attached to the infundibulum of the brain and occupies the sella turcica, that is present in all craniate vertebrates, that consists essentially of an epithelial anterior lobe derived from a diverticulum of the oral cavity and joined to a posterior lobe of nervous origin by a pars intermedia, and that has the several parts associated with various hormones which directly or indirectly affect most basic bodily functions and include substances exerting a controlling and regulating influence on other endocrine organs, controlling growth and development, or modifying the contraction of smooth muscle, renal function, and reproduction

called also hypophysis, pituitary body

see adenohypophysis, neurohypophysis